Tie-plate



E. H. BELL.

TIE PLATE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1919.

Patented Oct. 7,1919.

4 SHEETSSHEET I E. H. BELL.

TIE PLATE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11. 1919.

Patented Oct. 7,1919

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 E. H. BELL.

TIE PLATE- APPLICATION FILED MAY 17. 1919.

Patented Oct. 7,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- E. H. BELL.

TIE PLATE.

APPLICATION FILED mun. 1919.

Patented Oct. 7,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Z 5 wfl w) d F.

EDWIN H. BELL, OF CHICAGQ, ILLINJ'OIS.

TIE-PLATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Get. 7, 11919.

Application filed ma 17, 1919. Serial No. 297,860.

hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description thereof, reference bemg had to the accompanying drawings. and to the numerals of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in tie plates of that type having 011 the top a rail abutting shoulder and a rail bearing surface, and having on the bot-tom two flat t-ie engaging surfaces extending lengthwise of the grain of the tie and a plurality of projections extending at an angle to said tie bearing surfaces and intermediate thereof.

One of the ditlic-ulties with a tie plate is to so distribute the metal that the plate shall have the necessary thickness where most needed to resist wear, strain and buckling. and at the same time be relatively thin at other places to reduce the weight of the plate as a whole. and to overcome'this difiiculty is one of the objects of my invention.

Another object of the invention is to produce a tie plate having the maximum of rigidity and of efliciency in the performance of its intended functions consistent with lightness in weight.

When a rail is placed on the top surface of a tie plate, the spikes driven through the two inside spike holes of the plate are so placed that the outermost rail base flange will not only be parallel with. but will also rest closely against the rail abutting shoulder flange on the top of the tie plate. The spike holes on the inner part of the tie plate are, therefore, usually made somewhat larger than the cross sectional area of the spike, to permit of this rail and tie plate adjustment. In actual use in track, however, it is found that the said relative positions of the rail and the plate become shifted so that the rail edge will not be parallel with or abut against the shoulder flange throughout its whole length. the spike holes permitting this relative disarrangement of the plate and the rail. T o overcome this tendency and to prevent the plate from shifting its position on the tie and therefore its relative position with respect to the rail, is another object of the present invention. 7

Another object is to produce a plate having abutments or shoulders on its under side, so dlsposed as to resist the tendency of the plate to creep or move on the tie'transversely of its length and parallel with the direction of the rail.

Another object of the invention is to so distribute. the metal, that the plate from which the metal has been removed to lighten the plate may, in use, be concealed from view and in fact, also be protected from the destructive agencies of wind and weather, whereby no water, sand or grit may accumulate between the plate and its tie.

Another object of the invention is to produce a commercial tie plate,-not only havmg the advantageous features above referred to, but which may be produced by a rolling operation whereby the cost of production may be reduced to a practical and commercial proposition.

1 These and other objects of my invention will be manifest as I proceed herein to describe my improved tie plate.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tie plate embodying one form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of said plate.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of the said tie plate, taken in the plane indicated by the dotted line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse, vertical. sectional view of the same plate, taken upon the plane at ri ht angles to the section shown in Fig. 3, an taken as indicated upon the plane indicated by the dotted line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of tie plate embodying my invention.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view, of this modification. enlarged.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of the same, taken on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view. similar to that of Fig. 7, showing a modification in the form of the bottom of the plate.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another modified form of my invention.

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the modified form of plate shown in Fig. 9.

- are provided of the plate,

tie plate between Fig. 11 is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional view of the modified form of Fig. 9, taken in the plane indicated by the dotted line 1111 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional View, similar to that of Fig. 11, showing yet another modification of my invention.

Fig. 13 is a bottom plan view of a tie plate embodying my invention, with a modification showing angularly disposed tie penetrating ribs depending from the tie bearing surfaces.

Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view showing another form of tie penetrating ribs upon the tie bearing surfaces.

Referring now to that embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, of-said drawings, A indicates the tie plate as a whole, which, as shown, is oblong in plan, as usual. The plate is shown as having a flat bearing face if on its top side, which is adapted for engagement with and is of substantially the width of the bottom side of the rail base. At one end of the bearing face T is provided the usual transversely extending, rail abutting flange or shoulder 1. The top side of the plate at its end opposite the rail abutting fiange or shoulder 1 is preferably inclined or tapered downwardly toward the end of the plate as shown at 2. The raised up metal constituting the rail abutting shoulder is roundedofi at 3; said rounded part then merges in a fillet into the top surface 5 of the outer end of the tie plate.

On the bottom surface of the tie plate tie engaging flanges or ribs 6, 6, preferably two, as shown. Said ribs thus extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plate A and transversely of the rail abutting shoulder1 on the top face of the tie plate, and they extend from the end 7 to the end 8 of the tie plate. These flanges 6, 6, are preferably located inside of and parallel to the two side margins 9, 9, thus leaving flat surfaces 10, 10, one on the outside of each flange 6. A similar, though relatively narrow, surface 11 is formed on the inside of each flange 6. I

In that partof the bottom surface of the the two inside surfaces 11, 11, there is formed a plurality of parallel, arcuate undulations, grooves or depressions 12, 12, which extend transversely of the tie plate (that is to say, in this instance, at right angles to the tie engaging flanges 6, 6), and which undulations or grooves 12 are comparatively flat or shallow. The arcuate surfaces of the several grooves intersect in a plurality of parallel lines in the plane of the bottom of thetie plate, thus presenting a plurality of parallel ribs 13, which also extend transversely of the length between the inner edges of the surfaces 11, 11, and parallel to the said ntense,

undulations or grooves 12. Said ribs 13 thus run across or transversely of the grain ofthe wood of the tie, when the tie plate is in use, and parallel with the rail abutting shoulder 1, while the flanges 6 run with the grain of the wood.

The bottom surface 10 and the surface 11 of the plate, on both sides of the flanges 6, are flat, and are adapted to rest upon the topfsurface of the tie.

he undulations or grooves 12 below the rail engaging surface of the tie plate, diminish the weight of the plate Without materially destroying its strength. It will be noticed particularly, that said undulations or grooves are arranged in a series which extend through the entire length of the plate from the end 7 to the end 8. The ribs 13 extend only between the-inner fiat surfaces 11, 11, as stated, and consequently the lines of resisting force in said ribs 13 as well as the lines of resistance in said series of flat arched grooves 12, cross at right angles to the lines of resistance of the flanges 6, 6. Thus, the tendency of the plate A to buckle and bend under strain is reduced to a negligible quantity.

The bottom of the tie plate will naturally, under the pressure and pounding of the rail,

become slightly depressed into the surface of the tie, and this tends to prevent the shifting of the plate lengthwise of the tie.

Since the'flanges 6 run in the direction of the tie, saidfianges being parallel to the fibers of the wood of the tie, will embed themselves between said fibers and will act to prevent the plate from creeping in the direction of the rail, without damaging or distorting the fibers of the wood.

The plate is held to the tie by spikes, in a familiar manner, which spikes also tend to prevent the plate from shifting on the tie. The ends'let of the flanges 6, when the latter are embedded in the tie, act as abutting shoulders to prevent the outward shifting tendency of the plate in iise. The points of the ribs 13 normally will rest upon the top surface of the tie and as the use of the plate in track continues and the bottom bear-- ing surfaces 10, 11, are slightly pressed into the surface of the tie, these ribs 13 will similarly enter the tie.

It will be noted that the undulations on the bottom of the plate and above the top of the tie afiord no spaces or cavities for the accumulation of water or other deleteris ous substances, such as sand and grit, inasmuch as each undulation is defined at its side by the transversely extending ribs 13, and at its ends by the tie penetrating flanges 6. 1

Suitable spike holes are shown, one 15 through the rail abutting shoulder end of the plate and two, 16, 16, through the other misses end of the plate. The position of the rail base on the plate is indicated in dotted lines at 17, and of the spikes, by dotted lines at 18. The plate having a flat top bearing face for engagement with the rail base, without grooves or depressions, it is apparent that water will not collect and stand between the rail base and the plate so as to rust and thus gradually destroy and disintegrate the top of the plate. The tie plate thus described is manifestly one that is easy to manufacture in that it is capable of being readily rolled from a billet.

Referring now to the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, it will be noticed that the top rail bearing surface T is not fiat throughout its entire width but may be divided into a plurality of surfaces. In this case, three of such surfaces are illustrated, by means of the transversely arranged grooves or depressions 19 extending from side margin to side margin of the plate, and parallel with the rail abutting shoulder. From the bottom of the plate, the depending, tie penetrating ribs or flanges 6, 6 of the previous form, have been omitted, so that the two tie bearing surfaces 10 and 11 of said first form, are merged into a single tie bearing surface 20, 20, one at each side of the plate, and extending from end to end thereof, with the arcuate undulations or grooves 12, 12, intermediate thereof.

In Fig. 8, I have illustrated a modification of the form of parallel, arcuate undulations or grooves 1.2, 12, showing the surfaces of said grooves intersecting in a plurality of lines in a plane just below the bottom of the tie plate, thus presenting a plurality of relatively short, parallel, tie penetrating ribs or points of metal, 21, 21. lVhe-re the longitudinally arranged flanges or ribs 6, 6,

are omitted, as in the form shown in Figs- 5 to 7, inclusive, I prefer to so extend the intersecting surfaces of the arcuate undulations or depressions 12, 12, as to form these projecting points or ribs 21, 21, which when the plate is placed upon the tie, enter and engage the tie and prevent shifting of the plate thereon.

Referring now to the modification shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, it will be noticed that the top of the plate instead of having a flat rail bearing surface, is provided with a plurality of ribs 22 extending from therail abutting shoulder lengthwise of the plate and preferably, as shown, thicker at the.

shoulder than at the opposite end. These ribs 22 are preferably somewhat rounded on their upper or rail bearing surfaces, as shown at 23. The bottom of the plate shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, is substantially the same as the plate illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. previously described, with the exception that the transverse undulations or grooves 12, 12, and their intervening ribs 13, 13, while parallel to each other, extend lengthwise of the plate at a different angle to the side margin of the surfaces 20; that is, diagonally instead of at right angles.

In the form shown in Fig. 12. the top surface of the plate is provided with grooves or depressions 19, and the ribs or flanges 6. 6, are omitted.

In the modification shown in Fig. 13, the longitudinally extending ribs or flanges, indicated at 21, as depending from the tie bearing surface 20 of the plate, are shown as extending angularly to the side margin' of the surface 20 and from one end of the plate to the other; one rib being shown on each tie bearing surface.

In the modification shown in Fig. 11, the tie bearing surface 20 is provided with a plurality of angularly disposed, t-ie penetrating ribs 25, 25.

hile I have illustrated a tie plate in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, with the arcuate undulations 12 and the ribs 13 extending at right angles to the flanges 6, 6, as my preferred form, it is manifest that not only the modifications shown but other modifications may be made without departing from the principle of my invention, the essential fea tures of which comprise two parallel. tie bearing surfaces on the bottom of the plate, one at each side thereof, and an intermediate section of parallelly arranged, arcuate grooves or depressions intermediate of and extending to said tie bearing surfaces. and at an anglethe-reto. I have described the set of parallel undulations or grooves 12. 12. as being arcuate undulations. but it is manifest that the precise geometrical form of the surfaces 12, 12, illustrated. may not be fol lowed in all cases. as it is clear that the essential feature of this part of my invention consists in having a series ofdepressions in the bottom of the plate. extending between the bearing surfaces 20. 20. so joined as to form the intervening ribs 13.

I claim as my invention:

1. A tie plate having on its top a rail bearing surface and a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie, and intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel. flattened. arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface to the other. the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting tending in the direction of the length of the tie, and intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface to the other and at an angle to the inner margin of said bearing surfaces, he surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs, said undulations or grooves being of such number as to extend throughout the of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs terminating in the plane of said he bearing surfaces, said undulations or grooves be1ng of such number as to extend throughout the length of the plate.

a. A tie plate having on its top a rail bearing surface and a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie, and intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface. to the other and at an angle to the inner margin of said bearing surfaces, the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs terminating in the plane of said tie bearing surfaces, said undulations or grooves being of such number as to extend throughout the length of the plate.

5. A tie plate having on its top a rail bearing surface and a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and having on its :bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie, intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface to the other, the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs, said undulations Or grooves being of such number as to extend throughout the length of the plate, and a downwardly projecting, tie penetrating rib on each tie bearing surface extending generally in the direction of the length of the tie.

6. A tie plate having on its top a rail bearing surface and a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of length of release the tie, intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface to the other and at an angle to the inner margin of said bearing surfaces,

7 A tie plate having on its top a rail bearing surface and a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie,

intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of'parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie hearing surface to the other, the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs terminating in the plane of said tie bearing surfaces, said undulations or grooves being of such number as to extend throughout the length of the plate, and a downwardly projecting, tie penetrating rib on each tie bearing surface extending generally in the direction of the length of the tie.

8. A tie plate having on its top a rail bearing surface and a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie, intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie hearing surface to the other and at an angle to the inner margin of said bearing surfaces, the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs terminating in the plane of said tie bearing surfaces, said undulations or grooves being of such number as to extend throughout the the plate, and a. downwardly projecting, tie penetrating rib on each tie bearing surface, extending generally the di rection of the length of the tie.

9. A tie plate having upon its top a rail- I bearing surface, a transversely arranged rail-- abutting shoulder, and a groove or grooves in the rail bearing surface parallel to the rail abutting shoulder, and having on its to extend throughout the length of the plate.

10. A tie plate having upon its top a rail bearing surface, a transversely' arranged rail abutting shoulder, and a groove or grooves in the rail bearing surface parallel to the rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie, and intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or groovesextending from one tie bearing surface to the other and at an angle to the inner margin of said bearing surfaces, the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs, said undulations or grooves being of such number as to extend throughout the length a of the plate.

11. A tie plate having upon its top a rail bearing surface, a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and a groove or grooves in the rail bearing surface parallel to the rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie, and intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface to the other, the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs terminating in the plane of said tie bearing surfaces, said undulations or grooves being of such number as to extend throughout the length of the plate.

12. A tie plate having upon its top a rail bearing surface, a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and a groove or grooves in the rail bearing surface parallel to the rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces 'extending in the direction of the length of the tie. and intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened. arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface to the other and at an angle to the inner margin of said bearing surfaces, the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs terminating in the plane of said tie bearing surfaces, said undulations or grooves being of such number as to extend throughoutthe length of the plate.

13. A tie plate having upon its top a rail bearing surface, a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and a groove or grooves in the rail bearing surface parallel to the rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie, intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface to the other, the surfaces of said undulatlons or grooves intersecting 1n hues to form dividing ribs, said undulations or grooves being of such number as to extend in the rail bearing surface parallel to the rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie, intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface to the other and at an angle to the inner margin of said bearing surfaces, the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs, said undulations or grooves being of such IlllIllbGI as to extend throughout the length of the plate, and a downwardly projecting, tie penetrating rib on each tie bearing surface extending generally in the direction of the length of the tie.

15. A tie plate having upon its top a rail bearing surface, a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and a groove or grooves in the rail bearing surface parallel to the rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing-surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie, intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface to the other, the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs terminating in the plane of said tie bearing surfaces, said undulations or grooves being of such number as to extend throughout the length of the plate, and a downwardly projecting, tie penetrating rib on each tie bearing surface extending generally in the direction of the length of the tie.

16. A tie plate having upon its top a rail bearing surface, a transversely arranged rail abutting shoulder, and a groove or grooves in the rail bearing surface parallel to the rail abutting shoulder, and having on its bottom two parallel tie bearing surfaces extending in the direction of the length of the tie. intermediate said bearing surfaces a plurality of parallel, flattened, arcuate undulations or grooves extending from one tie bearing surface to the other and at an angle to the inner margin of said bearing surfaces, the surfaces of said undulations or grooves intersecting in lines to form dividing ribs terminating in the plane of said tie bearing surfaces, said undulations or grooves being of such number as to extend throughout the presence of two witnesses, this 14th day of length of the plate, and a downwardly pro- May A. D. 1919. jecting, tie penetrating rib on each tie bear- 7 ing surface, extending generally in the di- I 5 rection of the length of the tie. Witnesses:

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing TAYLOR E. BROWN, as my invention 1 aifix my signature in the B. L. MAGGREGOR.

EDWIN H. BELL. 

